Lin Xiaoya didn't really care about any of that.
What she cared about was, when discussing cooperation, surely they wouldn't do it at the company, right?
If it's outside, then... maybe she could openly tag along under the pretense of keeping Cecilia company?
They say men are creatures ruled by their lower half.
Lin Xiaoya was a Milan model, a sexy stunner. If she picked the right moment to remind Charles Yin of her allure...
Then everything that belonged to Cecilia would come back to her!
"Cecilia, about Mr. Mo..." Lin Xiaoya probed cautiously, "Did he do anything to you?"
Cecilia looked at Lin Xiaoya, puzzled. "What are you talking about? What could he possibly do to me? He's so handsome, and he's never short of women throwing themselves at him."
Lin Xiaoya's eyes flickered as she continued, "Cecilia, I've stopped working for a while and I'm so bored! Can you spend more time with me when you're free?"
"Sure!" Cecilia agreed without hesitation.
"So... if you guys are meeting outside for business, can I come along?" Lydia Lin finally voiced her true intention. "Don't worry, I promise I won't eavesdrop while you talk business. I know how important corporate secrets are. I'm just really lonely! You'll be busy with this project, and you won't have time for me. I'll be all by myself..."
Seeing Lydia Lin on the verge of tears, Cecilia Gu's heart softened.
Cecilia reached out and held Lydia's hand, feeling guilty. "Sorry, Lydia. I'll try, okay? But it's not really my call!"
"It's fine, I understand you," Lydia said, wiping her tears. "I don't blame you! You have your own troubles, and I don't want to make things harder for you."
The more Lydia said these things, the guiltier Cecilia felt.
Thinking about how Lydia might only have a month left to live, and how little time she could spend with her, Cecilia's guilt grew even heavier.
Lydia knew Cecilia best—she knew the more she said, the guiltier Cecilia would feel.
"When we were kids, we were always together. We went to school together, snuck snacks from home, even got punished by teachers together. We were so innocent, but so happy! No matter what, we did everything together! Even after college, we never lost touch. You even told me first when you started dating Zhao Zegang." Lydia pressed on, "I still remember your first date with Zhao Zegang—you were so nervous, you asked me to do your makeup. Those days were so full of beautiful memories!"
Sure enough, Cecilia couldn't sit still after hearing Lydia say all that.
Cecilia gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, Lydia. Tomorrow Charles Yin and Max Mo are going to the golf villa in the suburbs. You can come too."
Lydia finally got what she wanted and quickly let go of Cecilia's hand. "But I'm not an employee of Yin Enterprises. Is it really appropriate for me to tag along?"
"I'll just say you're coming with me," Cecilia said, gritting her teeth. "If necessary, don't let Charles Yin know—just pretend to be my assistant. I have plenty of assistants now! One more won't hurt."
Lydia threw her arms around Cecilia. "Cecilia, you're always the best to me! Ever since we were kids, you've cared about me the most."
So, if I betray you again and again, don't blame me!
That was something Lydia would never, ever tell Cecilia.
After lunch, Cecilia returned to the company and threw herself into work.
The partnership between the Mo Family and Yin Enterprises was just as important as the one with the Korean company. Plus, Max Mo specifically requested Cecilia to handle it, so she couldn't afford any mistakes.
Naturally, she had to make the most of her time and study everything she could about negotiation.
When Charles Yin returned to the company, this was the scene he saw.
Cecilia was asking colleagues with experience in similar projects for advice while constantly taking notes.
Charles Yin had seen Cecilia Gu working seriously before.
But even seeing it again, Charles felt a jolt in his heart.
During lunch, Grandma Yin had said a lot to him.
He knew everything Grandma did was for the Yin family.
He also knew that between him and Cecilia... maybe it really was just a simple contract.
But whenever he thought about Cecilia eventually leaving his side, smiling at another man, Charles felt suffocated.
He couldn't take it.
When he saw the photo of Cecilia smiling at Max Mo, he felt like he was about to explode.
Why did he feel this way?
Hadn't he always wanted the women around him to not cling to him?
Now Cecilia was doing exactly that, so why wasn't he happy at all?
"President!" The people in the office straightened up and greeted Charles Yin.
Charles just nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving Cecilia.
Cecilia brushed aside the loose hair on her forehead, revealing her fair, slender neck, then looked up at Charles.
Cecilia noticed the dark, uncertain look in Charles's eyes. She had no idea what he'd been through outside, so she greeted him like everyone else, "Presi—"
"Come with me!" Before Cecilia could finish, Charles grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the lounge!
Cecilia was pushed up against the wall.
For some reason, Cecilia suddenly thought of last night...
Her ears turned red and she struggled, "What are you doing? This is the office!"
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Charles pressed his body closer, trapping Cecilia between himself and the wall, leaving her no room to move.
"What did you and Grandma agree on?" His large hand cupped Cecilia's cheek, the soft touch stirring his heart and reminding him of last night...
But the next second, Cecilia's answer snapped Charles back to reality.
"Don't worry, I won't cling to you." Cecilia looked calmly into Charles's eyes. He was so tense—maybe he was worried she'd try to use having a Yin heir to tie him down? Heh, well, he could relax.
"What did you say?" Charles nearly ground out the words through clenched teeth, anger flashing in his long, narrow eyes.
Cecilia met his gaze with steady eyes, completely unaware why Charles was angry.
Shouldn't he be happy with her answer?
Everything he'd done lately was just to make sure she wouldn't cling to him, wasn't it?
Yes, he had been thoughtful and caring before.
But that still didn't change the fact that they were just contract spouses.
"Let go of me!" Cecilia felt Charles's grip tightening and slapped his hand away.
Charles grabbed Cecilia's chin again, lifting it so her gaze met his.
No matter how hard she tried, Cecilia couldn't pry Charles's fingers away. Pressured by him, she could only answer, "Charles, what's your problem? When we got married, you said we were just contract spouses, no interference... cough, cough..."
Charles suddenly let go, his voice growing cold. "Looks like you can't wait to leave."
Before Cecilia could reply, Charles continued, "No interference? Hm? Was that part of it? I don't remember that. As the wife of the CEO of Yin Enterprises, you should act like it! My wife, serving your husband in bed, is part of your duty!"
What a pervert!
What the hell is he up to?
Afraid Charles would do something crazy at work, Cecilia quickly pushed against his chest.
She felt the heat of his body under her palm, that unique warmth spreading from her fingertips to her heart.
Charles had that model physique—slim in clothes, muscular underneath. Cecilia couldn't help but shiver at the feel of him.
"You're crazy! This is the office!" Cecilia blurted out, nervous.
Charles gave a wicked smile, pressing even closer. "Oh? So it's not allowed at work? Then it's fine at home, right?"
Cecilia's face burned.
Damn it!
Suddenly, Charles lowered his voice at Cecilia's ear. "Just a reminder! If you do anything to betray the Yin family during our marriage, you should know I can keep your mother alive—or let her die!"
After saying that, Charles let go of Cecilia and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Cecilia's face instantly turned pale.
Yes, Charles really could do that.
Charles was never some kind-hearted saint!
Charles Yin, what do you really want?
What do I have to do to satisfy you?
Cecilia slumped weakly against the wall.
Since last night, Charles had been acting strange.
What happened to make him suddenly so fierce and scary?
Back at his hometown, he was still so gentle and calm, even running around for her.
She remembered all his kindness.
But she never once thought about wanting more than she deserved.
Why was he so sure she'd covet the Yin family's wealth, trying to stay after the contract ended?
Cecilia stayed in the lounge until she'd calmed down completely before heading out.
When she left, she realized Charles had already gone.
A wave of bitterness rose in Cecilia's heart.
He came and went like the wind—was it just to humiliate and warn her?
So, in his heart, that's all she was...